The Need for the New Evangelization

The readings for today’s Mass demonstrate clearly why we need a new evangelization in the Church today. At the end of the parable of the steward who squandered his master’s property, Our Lord says, “The children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.” (Lk 16:8) It was true then, and it’s true now. Just look at the programming on television. The secular TV networks all have very attractive programming with high production values and are good at capturing people’s attentions, yet the Christian channels constantly struggle to get viewers outside of their core audience. I love EWTN, and encourage Catholics to watch it as often as possible, but most programs follow one of two formulas: interview style where two people are sitting and the interviewer is asking questions of a guest, or one person standing at a podium or walking around the stage lecturing. While there’s nothing wrong with these formulas for a live program, such as Journey Home or The World Over, it becomes tedious when repeated ad nauseam.

As Catholics, we need to find ways to reach out to the world and make our message heard because our message is the Gospel, which is far more life giving than the message “proclaimed” by secular media. Look at how St. Paul puts the message of the world: ‘Their end is destruction. Their god is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things.’ (Phil 3:19) How about our message? “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified Body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.” (Phil 3:20-21) We have the message that brings life and hope, the world has the message which brings suffering and death.

As faithful Catholics, we need to be getting the Gospel message out to all corners of the world. That’s what Pope John Paul II meant by his call for the New Evangelization, a call continued and encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI. Throughout his papacy, Pope Benedict has been challenging and encouraging all Catholics to use find ways to spread the Gospel message through the new media, using technologies like blogs, podcasts and videocasts, and social network sites. This is a call to all Catholics, not only clergy or religious, to use these new media outlets to both broadcast the Gospel message and to reach out to individuals that may not otherwise hear the Gospel of Christ.

Use of the new media is happening, slowly but surely. Fr. Robert Barron, one of the professors at Mundelein Seminary throughout my theology studies, has been doing a great job of using videos and podcasts at his Word on Fire website. Likewise, blogs (like my own) are popping up all over the blogosphere. A couple examples out of the literally thousands to choose from: iPadre, Mark Shea, and National Catholic Register.

Of course, talk of the new evangelization wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Catholic radio. EWTN Radio does a fantastic job in the talk radio format. One of the great programs on EWTN Radio is Catholic Answers Live, a program I’ve regularly listened to pretty much from its beginning. The Catholic Channel on Sirius and XM satellite radio also has some very good programming. A personal favorite is The Catholics Next Door with Greg and Jennifer Willits. Anyone who has ever visited the Rosary Army will be immediately familiar with Greg and Jennifer.

The fact is, Catholics, using the new media to the fullest possible extent is a must. We must not only use this media, but exploit the capabilities available to us for the sake of the Gospel. Each and every one of us can do something, from using status updates on Facebook and Twitter to talk about our relationship with Jesus, to writing blog entries and producing podcasts explaining and defending the Gospel, and everything in between. We all can do this, we’re all called to do this, and we all need to do this for the sake of the billions of souls in the world today.